Whether you're a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest or not, it's hard to downplay the strength of a competition that has held the attention of a continent for nearly 60 years.
We do need better public services - of that there is no doubt. However, I am not convinced that many of the prescriptions in "Better Public Services" will deliver them.
Sometimes your biggest opportunity can come come from where you least expect it.
In an effort to get out of the house and away from the blood vessel popping effort to keep my mouth shut, I recently went to hear the wunderkind of modern education speak at Portcullis House. In case you are old and backward like me, his name is Salman Khan.
Everyone in life can benefit from a less complicated way of living/working. As they say, less is more, so when it comes to planning your next project - either at home or at work, perhaps take a moment to ask yourself - is there a simpler way to manage this?
Business social media platforms need to take a lead from successful consumer platforms and build social media functionality around content from the start. There's no place for standalone social software anymore.
Alvin Toffler published Future Shock in 1970, at a time of great social and economic upheaval. Toffler sought to help people make sense of what was g...
In these straightened times, joining forces - sharing people, expertise, operating models and ambition - with another organisation can significantly improve a charity's chance of survival. Working in partnership also has the potential to reduce inefficiencies and unnecessary duplication across the charity sector, something we know is a concern for the public.
Collaborate will be a hub of new ideas, ground breaking policies and leading-edge practice; a centre of leadership and skills development; and a forum for conversation, debate and problem-solving between the business, social and public sectors.
Why are systems so often set up to prevent the success that is possible with truly collaborative, integrated design? I work in the construction industry, where there are many barriers to achieving this goal.
If we can successfully implement these four recommendations, and commit ourselves to facilitating greater university-business collaboration in the pursuit of innovation, then not only can we secure the UK's research and development base, but also provide a springboard and platform for growth for decades to come.
Today, more than ever, businesses need to develop a common purpose when it comes to arts funding, because if business is the bedrock of civilisation, then the arts are the fruits of civilisation, and they must be nurtured.
In 2013 and over the next few years, I predict that many places will regret the abolition of their LSPs and other places will be creating new local partnership and collaborative arrangements. What they are called is of little matter but what they can achieve can be very significant and relevant to local communities, businesses and citizens. And surely that is the whole point?
You might also have thought that after fifty years, the Catholic Church would have reached a fixed mind as to the significance of the Council. Not so either. Its consequences are contested, its nature, continuity or break with the past disputed, and all subject to opposing interpretations. Zhou Enlai's assessment of the French Revolution applies: "too early to tell".
Collaborative tools are just one element of the changes that the internet and related technologies are enabling. Yet they alone have the potential to boost innovation and growth in key service sectors. The technological revolution is increasing not only our ability to innovate but the speed at which we can do so.
A few years ago, my dad lost a kidney because of misdiagnosed kidney stones. He was annoyed, and so was I, but there was no naming and shaming and no demand for compensation.
He works for IBM Madrid, lives in Gran Canaria and his boss is based in the United States. So why on Earth did Luis Suarez decide to give up email? The social software evangelist tells Kate Bassettabout his take on life outside the inbox.
When we set out to reinvent our Roman gallery through the eyes of young Londoners we knew we had an interesting journey ahead of us.
After a busy conference season in the European media world (five conferences in four countries in four weeks), one thing has become increasingly clear. News media are cooking up some healthy engagement and participation in their online communities.
Nike really are smashing it at the moment. Never mind the Air Wovens, Flyknits or the mad Yeezy II hype, for me it's all about the understated, super tactile designs of NIKECraft, the new collaboration with bricolage sculpture artist Tom Sachs.
There is a real debate to be had about putting young people into prison. Writing as a Magistrate, and this is my own personal view, we should be looking at the social problems - the beginning issues - that are causing young people to turn to nuisance behaviour.
Round it comes again. This idea that somewhere in the greatest achievers in art and sport lies a dictator who feels no imperative to be consistent with protocol.
One of the most important things all organisations need to remember is that a business is only as good as its people. So, how can you make sure you are getting the most out of your people?
The government's TechCityUK initiative has been making headlines with its aim to rapidly grow the cluster of start-ups in London's Old Street area - dubbed 'Silicon Roundabout' - into a world-class hub for technology innovation.
That business should have a voice in global governance initiatives is not being disputed here. What is being disputed is whether we should place our trust in an organisation funded primarily by those interests to deliver a vision of the most equitable and inclusive of global governance frameworks.
